James George Miller

POYNETTE - James George Miller, formerly of Rio, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2024.

He was born on September 14, 1933, to George and Alice (Dvorak) Miller of Antigo, WI. Jim grew up on a dairy and potato farm north of Antigo, home of the Wisconsin state soil, Antigo silt loam. He graduated from UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course and returned to the family farm in Langlade County. He met and married the county Home Economist Mary Ann Kennedy, and they started their own dairy and egg farm near Antigo.

Jim loved being the town Santa, in Antigo, providing great memories and joy for area children. Moving to Watertown, and later Rio, Jim and Mary Ann raised Polled Herefords. After leaving dairy farming, Jim began working for several farmer cooperatives, including the former Midland and Cenex where he later took on regional roles. As the hardware manager for the Johnson Creek Cooperative, he was known as “JC Jim” due to his photo in a weekly ad in the Watertown Daily Times. He was a regular blood donor with over 30 gallons donated. Jim and Mary Ann participated in square dancing with their group, “Jim and the Cousins.” He enjoyed watching wrestling, comedy, and MASH on TV, visiting historical sites, and traveling in the US and overseas with Mary Ann. In later years, he enjoyed attending farm shows selling livestock supplies to beef and dairy farmers, mostly so he could share stories and visit with people.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann, of 65 years; granddaughter, Amelia Heider; and daughter- in-law, Elena Miller; and brothers, Edward and William.

He is survived by his children, Clarence (Susan), of Lodi, WI, Josephine (Thomas) Heidt, of Lockridge, IA, Katherine (Bryan Malkowski), of Greenfield, WI, Samuel (Nadine), of Appleton, WI, Jack (Rhonda), of Rockland, WI, Maureen (Daniel) Heider, of Lodi, WI, and Michael, of Baraboo, WI; as well as 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Ann Grall; and sisters-in-law, Jeanette Thomas and Barbara Shaw; and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 noon on Friday, December 6, 2024, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Poynette, with Fr. Joji Thirumalareddy presiding. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Friday at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorials to UW Madison College of Agriculture or St. Thomas Catholic Church, Poynette, WI.

Special thanks to the staff at Spero Heritage in Watertown and SSM Hospice, particularly Jodi and Blanca for their care of Jim, as well as Sister George Ann.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette is assisting the family.